Well test-completion tool



April 17, 1962 B. W. MOLLER WELL TEST-COMPLETION TOOL Filed Oct. 14,1957 S Sheets-Sheet 1 55/70/77 W M0//e/ INVENTOR.

s lawL A T7'ORIVEVJ April 17, 1962 MULLER 3,029,875

WELL TEST-COMPLETION TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 flalull"! Mill" 40 m 43 ll llllll //7 57/7 um W. Mo New INVENTOR.

United rates Gihce 3,029,875 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 This inventionrelates to well tools and in particular to well test and completiontools.

In the completion of oil wells and the like for the production of theoil or other fluid therefrom, it is generally desirable to obtain a testsample of the formation in the well which is to be produced so that itcan be determined whethcr or not additional well operations are to beperformed prior to the final setting of the tubing, packer, and surfaceproduction equipment. Under the present practice, relatively expensiveformation test sampling tools are used for obtaining such test samplesof the formation. After the test samples are obtained, the" test toolsmust be removed from the well if the tests indicate that additional welloperations must be performed. When the test sampling tool is to beremoved, large and expensive surface equipment must be moved over thewell, the well must be killed wtih heavy fluid or mud to prevent the oilor other well fiuid from flowing, and the tubing must be pulled toremove the test tool so that well operations such as squeeze cementing,perforating, fracturing, and the like can be performed. Besides theobvious expense and time required for such procedure, the heavy fluid ormud used to kill the well is often injurious to the ultimate producingability of the well.

In other instances, formation test tools are used for performing what isgenerally known as dry tests. A dry test is made after a well formationhas been sealed by squeeze cementing and prior to making additional ornow perforations in the well casing. The dry test is performed byrunning the test tool in the tubing when a packer is set above thecemented formation and with ,the tubing empty or dry. Therefore, whenthe test tool is opened, the effectiveness of the cement seal on theformation is determined because if any fluid leaks through the cementseal, fluid will be collected in the test tool. Test tools now used forsuch dry tests are not full bore and are relatively expensive so that itbecomes necessary to pull the test tool from the well hole before thewell casing is reperforated and the setting of the well tubing iscompleted for production.

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedtest-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like for obtaining aninitial test sample of a well formation or for making an initial drytest, and for subsequently permitting the performance of various welloperations without requiring the removal of said test-completion toolfrom the well.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedtest-completion tool which is simplified in construction and operationand which is relatively inexpensive as compared to prior formationsampling tools so that it is economically and operationally practical toleave said test-completion tool in the well after a dry test or a testsampling of the well fluid is performed and during the subsequentproduction of oil or other fluid from the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved welltest-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like, wherein saidtool is adapted to be used in conjunction with a well packer so that atest of the area in the well below the packer may be conducted and sothat subsequent well operations may be conducted in the area below thepacker without removing the test-completion tool from the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new-- and improvedwell test-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like, wherein thetool is adapted to be run on or in a well tubing, and wherein the toolhas means for providing a bore therethrough which is the same size asthe bore of thetubing or which is sufficiently large so that well toolsmay be lowered therethrough for performing well operations subsequentlyto the test ing of the well with said test-completion tool withoutrequiring the removal of said test-completion tool from the well.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedwell test-completion tool which has one or more test holes therein foradmitting a test sample of well fluid into the tool, the test holesbeing closed by plugs which are held by a frangible means so thatfracturing of the frangible means opens the test holes, and the bore ofsaid tool having a closure therein which is removable after the testholes are opened so that the full bore of the tool is opened forconducting various well operations therethrough.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedwell test-completion tool wherein one or more test ports in the tool areadapted to be opened by dropping a go-devil or weight on the tool, andwherein the full bore of the tool is adapted to be subsequently openedwith the go-devil or weight or fluid pressure.

The preferred embodiment ofthis invention will be described hereinafter,together with other features thereof, and additional objects will becomeevident from such description.

The invention will be. more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown,and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one form of the tool ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1 to furtherillustrate the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section,illustrating another form of the tool of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, except that FIG. 5 illustrates thetool after the test port or ports have been opened with a go-devil orother weighted member;

FIG. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in' section,illustrating a further step in the operation of the device of FIG. 3wherein the go-devil or weighted member is utilized for removing theclosure means or plug in the bore of the tool for opening such bore toconduct a well operation or operations therethrough;

v FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating a modified portion ofthe closure plug or member which is utilized in the tool of thisinvention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a portion of the toolof this invention to show a modified part thereof as compared with FIGS.1 and 3;

FIG. 9 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing amodified portion of the tool of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a further modificationof the tool of this invention.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the tool of thisinvention which is adapted to be run with or in a well tubing or pipe T,a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be explained morein detail, the tool A may be connected with the lower end of the tubingT by means of the usual threaded connection (not shown) so as to form acontinuation of the tubing T as illustrated in FIG. 1, or the tool A maybe positioned within the tubing T. The tool A is positioned forinitially receiving a test sample or for conducting a dry test of thewell and for subsequently conducting a well operation or operationsthrough the tool A. A well packer P of conventional construction ispositioned between the tubing T and well casing C. By way of example,the packer P could be of the hookwall type, the permanent type, the wireline type or any other type of packer which is adapted to be set in awell casing between the casing and the tubing. 7

Considering the invention now in detail, reference is first made toFIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein one form of the tool A isillustrated. As shown therein, the tool A has a tubular body or mandrelwhich has an internal bore portion 15a with a diameter which is at leastas large as the internal diameter or bore of the well tubing or pipestring T thereabove. Although the tool A is ordinarily located at thelower end of the tubing T and below the packer P, such tool A can belocated in the tubing T at a point above the packer P, as will beevident hereinafter. The lower bore portion 15b of the tubular body ormandrel 15 is enlarged as compared to the bore 15a thereof and the boreof the tubing T so as to provide an annular lateral shoulder 150 withinthe body or mandrel 15.

, A closure member or plug 16 having an external diameter substantiallyequal to the internal diameter of the bore portion 15b is adapted to bepositioned within the mandrel or tubular body 15 for closing fluid flowthrough the bore of the mandrel or tubular body 15. The plug 16 has acentral recess 16c which opens upwardly of the plug and has a lowercylindrical wall and an upper downwardly and inwardly inclined wall 16dabove and merging with the cylindrical wall of the recess 16e. At theupper end of the wall 16d, there is an internal annular groove 16 withan annular vertically extending bottom wall. Above this groove 16 is aninternal annular fiangelike member with notches 16g and recesses 16htherein. Inwardly extending projections 16k are formed between thenotches 16g and the recesses 1611. The closure plug 16 preferablyincludes a seal ring 17 formed of rubber or other resilient sealingmaterial for contact with the bore portion 15b of the mandrel or tubularbody 15 so as to prevent fluid flow between the plug '16 and the mandrelor body 15. The seal 17 may of course be positioned on a the mandrel orbody 15 in sealing contact with the external surface of the plug 16 ifdesired. The closure plug or member 16 is formed with one or more testports or openings 16a which establish fluid communications from the areabelow the plug 16 to the area thereabove within the tubular mandrel orbody 15. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, there wouldbe four of such test ports or openings 16a, but the invention is notlimited to any particular number, of such ports or openings 16a.Preferably, the ports 16a have enlarged bores 16b at their upper endswhich form a shoulder 160 in each of the ports or openings 1611. A testopening plug 19 is adapted to be positioned within the enlarged portion16b of each of the ports or openings 16a. The shoulder 16c in each ofthe ports or openings 16a limits the downward movement of each of thetest port plugs 19. It is desirable to have a seal ring 20 with each ofthe test plugs 19 to provide a resilient seal between the plugs 19 andthe enlarged bore portions 16b. The rings 20 are formed of rubber orother resilient sealing material and are preferably of the type known asO-rings. Such test port plugs 19 therefore function to close the flow offluid through the test ports or openings 16a from the area below theplug 16 to the area thereabove.

The upper ends 19a of the test plugs 19 are formed at an angle orinclination as shown in FIG. 1, but as will be more evident hereinafter,the inclination of the ends 194 is not necessary. As seen in FIG. 1, theangle or inclination of the ends 19a is substantially the same as theangle or inclination of the inclined annular surface 16d formed in theclosure plug or member 16 so that the ends 19a of the plugs 19 lie insubstantially the same annular plane as the annular inclined surface16d. As previously explained, the internal inclined annular wall 16d isinclined at an angle downwardly and inwardly so that the wall 16d mergeswith the internal vertical walls of the central recess 16a formed in theclosure plug or member 16. Also, the annular vertically extending bottomwall of the annular groove 16f is formed of such a diameter that itforms a continuation of the vertical wall of each enlarged bore 16b ofeach test port 16a or is slightly larger than such vertical wall. Also,the notch 16g above each of the enlarged bores 1611 has a slightlylarger radius than the radius of each of the test port plugs 19.Therefore, each of the plugs 19 is positioned in its respective enlargedbores 16!) by dropping same downwardly through one of the notches 16g,along the wall of the groove 16] and then into the enlarged bore 16buntil contact is made with the shoulder 16c.

The test port plugs 19 are held in the position shown in FIG. 1 withtheir lower portions in engagement with the shoulder 16c by means of aretainer member or block 25. The retainer member 25 is formed of afrangible material in the preferred form of the invention, examples ofwhich are cast iron and pot metal, but plastic and other similarfrangible materials will also be suitable. To facilitate the fracturingof the retainer member 25 in a desirable pattern when it is desired torelease or move same from its position retaining the plugs 19 in thetest ports 16a, the member 25 may be scored or grooved as indicated at25a and as best seen in FIG. 2.

The particular shape of the retainer member 25 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 would generally be used. Such member 25 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has fourarms in the shape of a cross so that one arm is provided for each of theplugs 19. Accordingly, four recesses 1611 are also pro vided for theinsertion of the arms of the retainer member 25 into a position incontact with the plugs 19. Thus, the retainer member 25 is initiallyturned so that its arms are aligned with the recesses 1611 and then itis dropped or moved downwardly so that the arms pass downwardly in therecesses 1611 to a point below the lower surface of the inwardlyextending projections 16k as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore,after the retainer member 25 has dropped downwardly below the inwardlyextending projections 16k, it is turned or partially rotated so that itis locked or positioned below the lower surfaces of such projections 16kand over the plugs 19. Such position is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings. It should be pointed out that the ends of the arms of themember 25 are preferably enlarged and rounded as best seen in FIG. 1 sothat such heavier section supports plugs 19 which are forced upwardly bywell hydrostatic pressure, and so that the central portion oftheretainer member 25 is relatively thin for fracturing when desired andalso to provide the rounded surfaces at the ends of the arms of themember 25 so that when the member 25 is fractured, there will be notendency of the parts thereof to remain above the plugs 19. Instead, thefractured parts of the member 25 will fall downwardly into the centralrecess lee of the member 16 and will be clear of the plugs 19 after themember 25 is fractured.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a screen 27 having openings 27a therethrough isconnected to the lower end of the closure plug or member 16 by theengagement of its threads 27b with the threads 16m, or any othersuitable connection means. The screen 27 permits the inflow of fluidunder pressure to the openings 160, but it serves to filter or screenany foreign particles or debris which might clog or close the openings16:: when flow through the openings 16:: occurs.

The frangible retainer member 25 illustrated in F168. 1 and 2 may befractured or broken into a number of pieces by any type of weightedmember or go-devil commonly used in oil field operations. Go-devils andsimilar members are adapted to be dropped through the tubing, with orwithout a wire line attached thereto, and the impact of the go-devil orother weighted member with the retainer member 25 is sufficient tofracture or shear the member 25 into several pieces so that it fallsdownwardly into the recess 16c or is otherwise displaced from itsposition above the test port plugs 19. In FIG. 3, an example of ago-devil is shown in conjunction with another form of the invention. Thego-devil shown in FIG. 3 is designated with the letter G and it includesa weight or solid bar 311 which is provided with a fishing neck 31 atits upper end. The weighted bar 31 of the go-devil G preferably has aplurality of guide lugs 31 welded or otherwise secured thereto which areof such a diameter that they maintain the weight or bar 3d insubstantially the central. portion of the tubing T and the centralportion of the mandrel or body 15 so that such go-devil G contacts thecentral portion of the frangible member 25 when it is dropped thereon.The go-devil G is also utilized for knocking the plug 16 out of the boreof the mandrel or tubular body 15, as will be more fully explainedhereinafter, but in some instances, after the test port plugs 19 havebeen removed or released so that fluid communication is establishedthrough the passages 16a, the go-devil G and the plug 16 tend to drop orsettle prematurely, and if such should occur, the godevil G is providedwith a means to catch the go-devil G in the tubular mandrel or body 15.Such structure is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the go-devil G isillustrated as having hinged or pivoted fingers 32 which are pivoted at32a and which are urged outwardly by a spring 33 or any other equivalentspring means so that the fingers 32 engage the inside surface of thetubing T. A recess 35 which is formed so as to provide a lower lateralannular shoulder 35a is provided in the tubing T or in the body of thetool A so that the fingers 32 engage the shoulder 35a when the go-devilG has prematurely dropped as explained. Thus, the go-devil G is caughtin the tubing T or the body of the tool A and is prevented from fallingso that it can be retrieved with a suitable type of known overshot orfishing tool which is adapted to engage the fishing neck 31 in a knownmanner.

In the operation or use of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the well test-completion tool A of this invention is positionedin the well casing C at the lower end of the tubing T or an any othersuitable location therein so that the lower open end of the mandrel 15is exposed to the fluid pressure below the packer P. Therefore, thelower end of the plug 16 is exposed to the fluid pressure of the wellwhich serves to apply a fluid pressure force which acts to urge the plug16 upwardly in the mandrel or tubular body 15 so that its upper endcontacts the shoulder 15c as shown in FIG. 1. Since the tubing T isordinarily run empty in the use of this tool A, there is therefore afluid pressure diiferential acting across the plug 16 since the pressureexternally of the body 15 is greater than the pressure internallythereof above the plug 16.

When it is desired to obtain a test sample from the well fluid which isbelow the packer P, the retainer means 25 must be fractured so as torelease or remove same from the upper ends of the plugs 19. Suchfracturing of the member 25 is accomplished with the go-devil G or othersimilar weighted member which is dropped or lowered with considerableforce into contact with the member 25. Since the member 25 is formed ofamaterial which is frangible and readily cracks or shatters, the member25 is caused to crack or shatter by the impact of the go-devil G and thepieces of the member 25 ordinarily fall into the recess 16e of the plug16. The test port plugs 19 are then released and the fiuid pressure inthe well can then act on the plugs 19 to move same upwardly out of theenlarged ports or openings 16!) so as to open the test ports or openings16a for establishing fluid communication from the area externally of themandrel or tubular body 15 to the area internally thereof above the plug16. The fluid pressure across the plug 16 is therefore equalized aboveand below the plug 16.

If a dry test of the type previously described is to be conducted, thenany flow of fluid into the tubing T will indicate that the cement in thewell is unsatisfactory or defective so that subsequent well operationswill be indicated. On the other hand if the well is to be tested todetermine whether it is flowing adequately and is producing the properfluid for the full production. of the well, the test sample or flow intothe tubing T through the test port or ports 16a will be used todetermine whether or not subsequent well operations are necessary beforethe well is opened for full production.

If well performance is determined to be unsatisfactory and if additionalproductive zone in the well is to be opened to the well tubing, then anovershot of known construction, one of which is schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 6 and is identified by the letter S, is lowered on awire line W for engaging the fishing neck 3-1 of the godevil G so as toretract the fingers 32 (FIG. 6). Then, the weight of the go-devil G andthe overshot S are both utilized by lowering them together on the wireline into contact with the plug 16 so as to force same downwardly to thelower end of the mandrel or tubular body 15 to remove such plug 16 fromthe bore of the mandrel or body 15. Since the pressure above and belowthe plug 16 has previously been equalized by the opening of the ports oropenings 16a, the frictional resistance provided by the plug 16 withinthe mandrel or body 15 is the only force necessary to be overcome by theimpact of the godevil G against the plug 16. After the plug 16 has beenremoved from the bore of the mandrel or body 15 of the tool A, then thego-devil G is lifted out of the hole with the overshot S on thewireline. The full open bore of the tubing T is then exposed through themandrel or tubular body 15 so that any well tool which is normallylowered through a tubing string T can also be lowered through thetubular body or mandrel 15. Furthermore, in view of the fact that thebore of the tubing can thus be opened after the test of the wellformation is obtained without requiring the removal ofthe tubing T fromthe well, the Christmas tree (not shown) can be bolted down and a flowline (not shown) can be hooked up at the surface of. the well prior tothe timethat the godevil is dropped to break the retainer member 25 sothat when the bore of the mandrel 15 is opened by removing the plug 16,the Well is under control Without requiring a killing of the well withheavy mud or fluid.

Thus, with the bore of the tool A open, a perforating gun of the typewhich is normally lowered through tubing can be dropped or rundownwardly through the tubing and through the tubular body 15 of thetool A to a position below the lower end thereof and the casing can bereperforated at the desired depth. If the well is to be t sues swabbedafter the obtaining of the test flow through the ports 16a, or if thewell flows satisfactorily during such test, the tool A is left in thewell as described above with the full bore thereof open for wellproduction of the oil or other fluid from the exposed formation belowthe packer P.

If it is necessary or desirable to fracture, acidize, squeeze cement orperform similar well operations after the test of the well formation bythe flow of fluid through the port or ports 16a, the plug 16 is pumpedout of the mandrel or tubular body 15 with fluid pressure applied fromthe internal area of the tubing T above the plug 16 and then such welloperations are performed through the bore of the mandrel or body 15. Itshould be noted that when pressure work such as is utilized in thefracturing or squeeze cementing of a well is employed, the packer P mustbe of the type having means therewith to hold the packer P againstupward movement as will be understood.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a modified tool A-1 is illustrated. The tool A-l has amandrel or tubular body 115 which corresponds with the mandrel ortubular body 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The mandrel or tubular body 115 has anupper bore portion 115a which is of substantially the same diameter asthe internal diameter of the tubing T thereof. The mandrel or body 115also has an enlarged internal bore 1151) so as to provide a shoulder1150 extending annularly. The mandrel or body 115 may be modified ascompared to the mandrel or body 15 by including the recess 35 shown inFIG. 3 for the purpose previously described, but of course, aspreviously ex plained, the annular groove 35 and the shoulder 35a couldbe incorporated with the tool A also. A further modification of themandrel or tubular member 115 as compared to the mandrel or tubular body15 resides in the provision of one or more test ports or openings 115d.These ports or openings 115d extend laterally through the wall of themandrel or body 115 and preferably are just below the shoulder 1150.These openings 115d correspond with the test ports or openings 16a ofthetool A. Each of the ports or openings 115d has a test port plug 119positioned therein for closing fluid flow from the area externally ofthe mandrel 115 to the area internally thereof. The plugs 119 correspondwith the plugs 19 of the tool A except that theyare constructed with ashoulder 119a which engages with the inside bore 115b and prevents theplugs 119 from passing outwardly through the openings 11512. Seal ringsor -rings 120 are preferably included with each of the plugs 119. In theillustrations of FIGS. 3 and 4, four plugs 119 are employed, although itwill be evident that the number of such plugs may vary depending uponthe circumstances and conditions of use.

The plugs 119 are held in the test ports or.openings 115d by means of aretainer member or plate 125 which is substantially circular except forfour flat surfaces 125a which are positioned adjacent to and in contactwith the plugs 119 (FIG. 4). The member or plate 125 also has a centralopening 12512 therethrough for fluid passage.

The retainer member or plate 125 is prevented from moving downwardlybecause it rests upon the upper edge of a plug 116 which correspondswith the plug 16 of the tool A. The plug 116 has. seal rings or O-rings117 and 117a which are formed of rubber or other resilient material forsealing between the plug 16 and the body or mandrel 115. The plug- 116is formed with notches or recesses 116a in its upper edge, the .numberof which corresponds with the number of plugs 119.

limit the upward movement of the plug 116 while providing the spaces ofthe notches 116a through which fluid may flow into the interior of themandrel or body 115 (FIG. 5). As previously explained in connection withthe tool A, when the test port or ports are opened, the fluid pressureabove and below the plug 16 is equalized. The same equalization of thefluid pressure across the plug 116 is obtained when the test ports 115dare opened. In order to assist in maintaining the plug 116 in a raisedor closed position with its upper end in contact with the shoulder 1150after the plugs 119 are removed from the openings 115d, it is desirableto provide the lower lateral surface 11% with a greater surface areaexposed to the fluid pressure therebelow than the lateral surface on theupper side of the plug 116 which is exposed to the fluid pressure withinthe tubing T. With such arrangement, even though the fluid pressureacross the plug 116 is equalized, there is a greater upward force actingupon the plug 116 than is acting downwardly thereon so that Therefore,in the illustration, there would be four recesses or notches 116a. Thenotches 116a are provided so that when the member 125 is fractured andremoved from the area behind the plugs 119, and therefore when the plugs119 are permitted to be moved out of the openings 115d by fluidpressure, then the plug 116 can 1 move upwardly into contact with theshoulder 1150 to the plug 116 is maintained in position within themandrel until some additional force or pressure is applied to the plug116 from thereabove. To accomplish the increased lateral surface area at11Gb as compared to the lateral surface area of the plug 116 thereabove,the external diameter of the plug 116 is decreased as indicated at 1160as compared to the external diameter 116d therebelow and the seal 117::is positioned for preventing fluid leakage or flow from the areathereabove to the area therebelow. It should also be noted that the plug116 is provided with a central recess 116a into which the pieces of theretainer member may collect or fall when such member 125 is fractured orcracked.

The operation or use of the tool A-l of FIGS. 3 and 4 is substantiallyidentical with that described above in connection with the tool A. Thepacker P is set in the well if it is a permanent completion type packeror a wire line packer and then the tubing T is lowered into the wellwith the tool A-1 thereon. If the packer P is a hookwall type packer, itis generally lowered with the tubing T. The Christmas tree (not shown)is installed and if the packer P is lowered with the tubing T, thepacker is set before bolting the Christmas tree down and hooking up theflow line. Thereafter, the go-devil G is dropped into the tubing so thatit strikes the frangible retainer member 125 and fractures or crackssame into pieces so that it is removed from its position behind theplugs 119. The fluid pressure in the casing C below the packer P thenforces the plugs 119 inwardly and the well fluid flows into the interiorof the tubing T above the plug 116. Depending upon the results of suchtest sampling or flow, the plug 116 is thereafter either knocked out ofthe lower end of the tool A-l with the go-devil G and an overshot suchas S illustrated in FIG. 6, or the go-devil G is removed and the plug116 is pumped out of the lower end of the tool A-1 with fluid underpressure from within the tubing string T. The various well operationspreviously referred to and those others that may be desired may then becarried out or conducted through the open bore of the tubing T and themandrel or tubular body 115. It should be noted that FIG. 5 illustratesthe position of the plug 116 after the member 125 has been fractured andthe plugs 119 have been forced out of the openings 115d. It will benoted that the plug 116 has moved upwardly so that its upper edge is incontact with the annular shoulder 115:: so that it is limited in itsupward movement while the notches 116a are aligned with the openings115d to permit the flow of the well fluid into the mandrel or body 115above the plug 116. The illustration of PEG. 6 shows the removal of theplug 116 from the mandrel or tubular body 115 with the go-devil G on thelower end of the overshot S as they are lowered together on a wire lineW.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the closure plug which is-used in thetool A or the tool A-1. The closure plug 216 of FIG. 7 is modified toinclude a check valve 40 which is adapted to seat in a valve opening 41to close flow through such opening 41. A coil spring 42 acts against ashoulder 43 on the plug 216 and also against a washer 44 which isattached by any suitable means to the lower end of a shaft 45 on thevalve 40. Therefore, the spring 42 normally maintains the valve 40 in aclosed position and the spring 42 is of suflicient strength to normallyhold the valve 40 in the closed position except when seating theapparatus in a permanent type packer. In such instances, fluid lock maydevelop so that the tool cannot be properly seated in the permanent typepacker and in such instance, the valve 40 will open to release the fluidlock and admit a small amount of fluid into the interior of the tool Aabove the plug 216 without otherwise aifecting the operation or functionof the tool of this invention. The remainder of the structure of theplug 216 is identical with that illustrated in connection with FIG. 3and is shown as including a seal ring 217 which corresponds with theseal ring 117 of FIG. 3. However, as explained, the check valve could beutilized with the closure plug 16 in FIG. 1 if desired. In FIG. 8 of thedrawings, the tubular body or mandrel 215 is modified as compared to thetubular body or mandrel 115 and shown in FIGS. 3 and l of the drawings,respectively. In FIG. 8, the mandrel or tubular body 215 is formed oftwo sections 215a and 215b which are threaded together at 2150' andwhich have the same internal diameters. A recess 215d is formed in thebore of the section 215a and such annular shoulder 215d is just abovethe upper end 2152 of the lower section 2151) so that an annular grooveor recess is actually formed between the shoulders 215d and 215e. Theplugs 219 fit within test ports or openings 215] to close same. Theports 215i correspond with the ports 115d of FIG. 3. The plugs 219 areheld in the ports 215; by a retainer member or plate 225 whichcorresponds with the retainer or plate 125 of FIG. 3. However, theretainer member 225 is not supported on a closure plug such as theclosure plug 116, but instead the member 225 is supported in the annularrecess between the surfaces 215d and 2152 as best seen in FIG. 8.Therefore, the plug such as the plug 116 can be disposed at some pointconsiderably below the plate or retainer member 225.

In FIG. 9, a modified mandrel or tubular body 315 is shown in part toillustrate a modified portion of the tool. The mandrel or tubular body315 is substantially identical with the mandrel or tubular body 115except that the bore 31511 is substantially equal to the bore 315bsothat an annular recess 3150 is provided rather than a shoulder 1150 asin FIG. 3. The mandrel 315 is formed with at least two diametricallyaligned test ports 315d and 3152. The test port 315d is of a reduceddiameter as compared to the recess 315c, but the port 315e is of thesame diameter as the annular recess 3150. The port or opening 315d isadapted to receive a plug 319 which has an enlarged head or shoulder319a thereon for engagement with the recess 3150 to prevent outwardmovement of such plug 319 with respect to the opening or port 315d. Onthe other hand, the opening 315a has a plug 319' which is ofsubstantially the same diameter as the opening 315:: throughout itslength. The frangible member or retainer member 325 is a rod ofsubstantially the same diameter as the opening 3152 and it is formedwith suitable crack initiating grooves or scoring 325a to facilitatefracturing thereof with a go-devil such as the go-devil G of FIG. 3. Theplugs 319 and 319' are inserted into the position shown in FIG. 9 byinitially positioning the plug 319 in its opening 315d and then theretainer member 325 is pushed through the opening 315e until it is inengagement with the head or shoulder 319a of the plug 319 and isconfined by the recess 3150. The plug 319' is then placed in the opening315e and the fluid pressure externally of the mandrel or tubular body315 is relied upon to keep the plug 319' in position since the retainermember 325 prevents the plug 319 from moving inwardly into the bore ofthe mandrel 315. It will be evident that if a closure plug such as theplug 16 or 116 is utilized with the form of the invention shown in FIG.9, it would be positioned below the rod 325. Also, it should beunderstood that if more than two inlet test ports or openings aredesired, they can be longitudinally spaced with respect to each other sothat a plurality of retainer rods 325 would be utilized in retaining theplugs in position in the test ports. Test ports are opened by fracturingor shattering the retainer rod 325 in the same manner as previouslydescribed in connection with the fracturing or shattering of theretainer member in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 10 a diagrammatic illustration is shown to illustrate the use ofa retainer member that can be moved within the mandrel or tubular body415 without fracturing same but while still accomplishing the opening ofthe test ports or openings. Thus, in FIG. 10 plugs 419 are held in testports or openings 415a by a retainer member 425 which is longitudinallymovable in the mandrel or tubular body 415. The retainer member 425 islimited in its upward movement by engagement with an annular internalshoulder 415b so that the external surface of the retainer member 425 isbehind the plugs 419 to prevent their inward movement into the interiorof the tubular body or mandrel 415. However, when the retainer member425 is moved downwardly with the go-devil G or any other weightedmember, the plugs 419 are then released. When the' plugs 419 arereleased the openings 415a are of course open and the member 425 ispreferably held in the lowered position by the go-devil G. Once thefluid pressure above and below the member 425 is equalized there is notendency for the member 425 to move in either direction by the action ofthe fiuid pressure thereon so that if the member 425 is once positionedbelow the openings 415a, it normally will remain there. To prevent apremature lowering of the retainer member 425 with respect to the body415, a shear pin or other similar means (not shown) could be utilized tohold the memher 425 in the position shown in FIG. 10 behind the plugs419. Therefore, when the go-devil G contacted the memher 425 it wouldsever the shear pin and move the member 425 downwardly sufficiently forthe plugs 419 to be forced inwardly to permit the fluid to thereafterflow through the openings 415a. The closure plug 416 may be of the typeshown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 or any of the other types illustrated in thisapplication and it can be seen that such plug 416 is positioned wellbelow the retainer member 425 and it is prevented from moving upwardlyin the mandrel 415 above a shoulder 4151;. Such arrangement for theclosure plug 416 could be utilized in connection with the forms of theinvention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings.

The closure plug 416 can of course be knocked out of the mandrel 415with the go-devil G in substantiallythe same manner as describedpreviously in connection with FIG. 1 or it can be pumped out with thepressure fluid from within the tubing T as also explained previously inconnection with FIG. 1.

It should be pointed out that the go-devil G or similar Weighted means,the closure plug 16 and the other closure plugs should be made of adrillable material so that they can be drilled out with a drill bit ifit becomes necessary to later drill the well deeper.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction, may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casingwherein a Well packer is located between the tubing and the casing,comprising a tubular body having an axial bore. therethrough, .a closureplug positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure spamsplug having a'test port for establishing flui d comr nmuni cation fromthe area in said tubular body above said clo sure plug to" the areabelow said plug, a test port plug mounted with said closureplug forclosing said test port, and frangible means for holding said test portplug against upward movement away from said test port until saidfrangible means is fractured. 2. The structureset forth in claim 1,including a. screen onsaid closure plug to prevent the entry of materialor debris into said test port which might close same. 3. The structureset forth in claim 1, including lock means on said closure plug forholding said frangible movement until said frangible means againstupward means is fractured.

4. A well test-completion tool for use with a Well tubing positioned ina well casing wherein a well packer is located between the tubing andthe casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough,closure means closing said axial bore, said tubular body having a testport located above said closure means for admitting fluid into saidtubing from the area below said packer and externally of said tubing,plug means closing said test port, and means in said body supportingsaid plug means in position closing said test port and movable from saidplug means to permit removal of said plug means from said test port. 5.The structure set forth iri claim 4, including means for moving saidmovable means from said plug means whereby said plug means is releasedfrom said test port by fluid pressure acting on said plug means fromexternally of said tubular body. I v

6. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing,comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, a closureplug positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure plughaving a test port for establishingfluid communication from the area insaid tubular body above said closure plug to the area below said plug, atest port plug mounted with saidclosure plug for closing said test port,and frangible means for holding said test port plug in said test portuntil said frangible means is fractured. p

,7. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casingwherein a Well packer is located between the tubing and thecasing,comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closuremeans positioned in said axial bore for closing same, one of saidtubular body and said closure means having a test port for admittingfluid into said tubular body from the area below said packer andexternally of said tubular body, plug means closingsaid test port, means for releasably supporting said plug means in position closing saidtest port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plug meansfrom said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubular body,and means for supporting said closure means in said body for movementfrom said tubular body after the plug means is released to open saidaxial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

8. A testtool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casingwherein a well packeris located between the tubing and the .casing,comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closuremeans positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure meanshaving a test port for admitting fluid into said tubular body from thearea below said packer and externally of said tubular body, plug meansclosing said test port, means for releasably supporting said plug meansin position closing said test port and movable therefrom to permitrelease of said plug means from said test port to open same to admitfluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting said closuremeans in said body for movement from said tubular body after the plugmeans is released to open said axial bore for conducting a welloperation therethrough.

9. A test tool for use with a well tubing positionedin 1.2 a' wellcasing wherein awell packer is located between the tubing and thecasing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough,closure means posi-' tioned in said axial bore for closing same, saidtubular body having a test port for admitting fluid'into said tubularbody from the area below said packer and externally of said tubularbody, plug means closing said test port,

means for releasably supporting said plug means in posi-' tion closingsaid test port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plugmeans from said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubularbody, and means for supporting said closure means in said body formovement from said tubular body after the plug means is released to opensaid axial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

10. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing,comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closuremeans positioned in said axial bore for closing same, one of saidtubular body and said closure means having a test port for admittingfluid into said tubular body from the area externally of said tubularbody, plug means closing said test port, means for releasably supportingsaid plug means in position closing said test port and movable therefromto permit release of said plug means from said test port to open same toadmit fluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting saidclosure means in said body for movement from said tubular body after theplug means is released to open said axial bore for conducting a welloperation therethrough.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said mandrel has meansat its upper end for connection with tubing, and wherein the leastdiameter of the bore of said mandrel is as large as the diameter of thebore of said tubing so that there is no restriction to the passage ofwell tools through the mandrel when said closure means is removed fromsaid bore of the mandrel.

12. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said lateral surface ofsaid closure means which is exposed to the fluid pressure below theclosure means is greater than the lateral surface of the closure meansexposed to the fluid pressure in the mandrel thereabove so that theclosure means is held against downward movement in the mandrel eventhough the pressures above and below said closure means are equalized.

13. The structure set forth in claim 10, including means for admittingpressure fluid above said closure means after said plug means has beenreleased for thereby equalizing the fluid pressure above and below saidclosure means.

14. A Well test completion tool connected to a well tubing positioned ina well casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial boretherethrough, a closure plug closing said axial bore, said closure plughaving a test port for admitting fluid into said tubing from the areaexternally of said tubular body, a test port plug in said test port forclosing same, retainer means retaining said plug in said test port, andmeans for fracturing said retainer means to permit the removal of saidtest port plug from said test port by fluid pressure from externally ofsaid tubular body.

15. The structure set forth in claim 14, including coacting surfaces onsaid closure plug and said tubular body for limiting upward movement ofsaid closure means in said tubular body.

16. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means forfracturing said retainer means is a weighted member whichis adapted tobedropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer means.

17. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means forfracturing said retainer means is a weighted member 'which is adapted tobe dropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer'means, andwherein said weighted member has guide means thereon for guiding it 13into contact with substantially the central portion of said retainermember.

18. The structure set forth in claim 14, including means on said closuremeans for contacting said retainer means to limit the upward movement ofsaid retainer means rela tive to said closure means.

19. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means forfracturing said retainer means is a weighted member which is adapted tobe dropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer means, andwherein said weighted member and said tubular body have coacting meansfor catching the weighted member to limit the extent of its downwardmovement after said retainer means has been fractured.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LambMar. 14, 1939 Otis Nov. 21, 1939 Nash May 28, 1940 Stoddard July 4, 1944Byrd Apr. 22, 1947 Parks Jan. 11, 1949 Gardner Feb. 15, 1949 ChristensenFeb. 6, 1951 Dunn Mar. 18, 1952 Suter Aug. 12, 1952 Althouse et al. Oct.30, 1956

